Dawnielle Castledine

"I am graduating in May 2011 with my Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science and Policy (yay!!!). After graduation in May I am running off to explore the west coast of the US, going by motorcycle to Salt Lake City, UT and Reno, NV where I will be dumpster diving and making furniture for a few weeks, then off to Portland, OR by Greyhound, by train to Seattle and Bellingham, WA and then finally by ferry to Alaska where I will by hiking around and installing a vegetable garden or two along the way. When the weather starts to cool off and I return to Austin, I will be landscaping for my current landlord with native edibles and working to create community in my own neighborhood. Since ECOSA I have signed up for a local CSA, started composting, having neighborhood potlucks and creating fun, useful and beautiful things out of found and reclaimed materials. I am learning to ride a bike and walking, instead of driving, whenever I can.

Currently I work for the Austin EcoNetwork as their Promotions Coordinator. My job consists of me "redesigning" the business visually so that she is able to reach a broader audience, and have more interaction with her customers. Through the Austin EcoNetwork we are able to build a stronger environmental community in Austin. Outside of my work with AEN, I do freelance work with other small businesses working for sustainability to do business development, consulting and promotions/marketing.

I use things I learned at ECOSA everyday, inside and outside of work. The ideas of cyclical thought, balance, and regenerative design now permeate my life as much as I can make them. ECOSA definitely changed the way I look at and comprehend the world around me, along with my place in that world, in the most positive ways."